Gaza terrorists fired on major Israeli cities on Thursday morning, setting off the Red Alert rocket sirens in Ashdod and Ashkelon. The Iron Dome defensive system shot down at least one rocket that was on course to hit Ashkelon.

Two other rockets were later found near the city. Both had hit open areas. The rockets did not cause physical injury, but several people were treated for shock.

Terrorists had fired several rockets at southern Israel earlier on Thursday morning, setting off warning sirens in Sderot and surrounding communities.

According to AFP, just one of the rockets hit Israeli territory, while four others apparently struck within Gaza.

Gaza terrorists have fired nearly 100 rockets since Wednesday morning. Over 60 rockets have hit Israeli territory, while dozens more have fallen short inside Gaza.

Terrorists have previously caused death in Gaza with misfired rockets. In one notable incident, terrorists killed the infant son of a BBC stringer – a death that the BBC, along with other international media outlets, initially blamed on Israel.

Israel's Air Force responded Wednesday night to the rocket attacks by striking 29 targets in Gaza used by the Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorist groups. Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for all of the rocket fire so far, while the Israeli government says Hamas ultimately bears responsibility as the ruling power in Gaza.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas condemned Israel's response to the rocket fire, accusing Israel of a "military escalation." He did not condemn the rocket attacks on Israeli civilians.

So far, there have been no casualties reported among either Israelis or Gaza residents.